Search Results for keywords:"Endangered Species Act"

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has received an application from Overnight Solar, LLC for a permit that would allow the incidental take of the threatened desert tortoise during the development of a solar energy project in San Bernardino County, California. This permit is required under the Endangered Species Act since the project could impact the tortoises’ habitat. To offset potential impacts, the company plans to relocate the tortoises and support habitat preservation efforts. The public is invited to comment on the draft habitat conservation plan and environmental assessment by February 20, 2025.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a proposed settlement agreement related to legal cases concerning the pesticide registrations of cyantraniliprole, specifically addressing claims under the Federal Insecticide, Rodenticide, and Fungicide Act. This follows legal actions by the Center for Biological Diversity that aimed to compel the EPA to fulfill requirements under the Endangered Species Act. The EPA is inviting public comments on this proposed agreement until January 2, 2025. The agency aims to uphold the settlement terms unless the comments suggest otherwise.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has decided to remove the Interior least tern from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife due to its recovery. This decision comes after a detailed review showing that the species has increased in population and no longer faces significant threats that would qualify it as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Effective February 12, 2021, the Interior least tern is no longer protected under the Act, although it will still be covered by other regulations, such as the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The Service will continue to monitor the species for at least five years to ensure it remains stable and prevent it from becoming endangered once more.

The Fish and Wildlife Service has received an application from RWLC Development Sub, LLC for an incidental take permit under the Endangered Species Act. This permit would allow the company to impact the federally listed sand skink and bluetail mole skink during the construction of a commercial development in Polk County, Florida. A habitat conservation plan has been proposed, and the public is invited to comment. The Service has made an initial determination that this project might have minor environmental impacts and may qualify for a categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is planning a recovery planning workshop for the Beringia Distinct Population Segment of bearded seals and the Arctic ringed seals, both listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The workshop aims to gather information and insights from experts but will not seek consensus on recovery strategies. Scheduled for January 23-24, 2025, in Anchorage, Alaska, the event is open to the public, and contributions of information to aid in recovery planning are welcomed. Topics of interest include potential recovery criteria, human-related threats, environmental challenges, and necessary recovery actions.

Stone Ridge Hydro, LLC has announced its intention to apply for a new license for the Herkimer Hydroelectric Project located on West Canada Creek in Herkimer County, New York. The company has been approved to use the Traditional Licensing Process by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and has filed a Pre-Application Document outlining the proposed plan and schedule. Consultations with various agencies, including those responsible for endangered species and historic preservation, are being initiated. All applications for the new license must be submitted by March 31, 2025, and the public is invited to participate and stay informed through FERC's online resources.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is temporarily adjusting the total allowable catch (TAC) amounts for pollock, Atka mackerel, and Pacific cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands for 2025. This change is necessary because the previous TACs were incorrectly specified, and the adjustment aligns them with the best scientific information available. The updated figures are based on recommendations from the North Pacific Fishery Management Council and aim to ensure sustainable fishing practices while considering the conservation of endangered Steller sea lions, which share this habitat. Public comments on this adjustment are invited until January 13, 2025.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing changes to the listing and management of grizzly bears in the lower 48 states. They intend to redefine the grizzly bear's geographic boundaries as a distinct population segment (DPS) and retain its threatened status under the Endangered Species Act. The proposal aims to promote conservation by clarifying areas suitable for grizzly bears, including revisions to protective regulations under section 4(d) of the Act. Public comments on the proposed changes will be accepted until March 17, 2025, along with multiple public informational meetings and hearings scheduled in early 2025.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has extended the deadline for submitting information related to a 5-year review of certain subspecies of ringed seals. Originally set to end on January 26, 2021, the information request period is now open until March 26, 2021. This extension comes after receiving requests for additional time to gather relevant data. The review covers the Arctic, Okhotsk, Baltic, and Ladoga subspecies of the ringed seal and is conducted under the Endangered Species Act.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service are proposing amendments to the consultation regulations under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. These changes pertain to land management plans by the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management. The proposed revisions aim to make it clear that when new information emerges which could affect species or habitats in ways not previously considered, reinitiating consultation won't always be necessary, as long as a separate action-specific consultation is conducted for any related actions. The goal is to improve the efficiency and consistency of interagency cooperation procedures.